Results 561-580 of 605 for speaker:John Whelan

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I endorse Senator D'Arcy's comments in regard to the delay in the processing of medical cards, which is now taking weeks and months. The divergence between the official position and reality on the ground for people waiting for medical cards is unacceptable. This issue must be addressed. I call on the Leader to arrange for a wide-ranging debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality on...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: Yes. I believe such debate is long overdue. I note from the legislative programme that the Government intends to reintroduce a redrafted immigration residence and protection Bill. It is long overdue. This policy has huge implications for our housing and education policy, our health services and on the manner in which we treat people who come here seeking help. I call on the Leader to...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is an important part of the consultation process, as he said. It was initiated by the Minister, Deputy Hogan, last week. I encourage everyone who has a position on the issue, such as community groups, environmental groups, corporate groups, commercial groups, farming groups and residents associations, to contribute. A great window of...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: I commend and congratulate the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, on his endeavours on "Morning Ireland" this morning and his effort to outline the productive and progressive work of the Seanad and the reforms introduced under his leadership. Perhaps the point was missed by the interviewer and certain elements of the media. The Seanad can only do so much and it is restricted and limited...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: It is difficult to do that if no legislation is being produced by the Dáil. Towards the end of the session, we find legislation being rammed through and dumped on top of us. We cannot give it a proper examination and then we are accused of guillotining important legislation that deserves more attention. For any media that want to pay attention, people comment on the Seanad without paying...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

John Whelan: With the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach, it would be remiss of me not to pay a small tribute and express my condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr. Aengus Fanning. I worked at the Sunday Independent for a time and he was one of the country's most influential figures in journalism. He was a towering figure over the past 30 years and a man who, in his work, probably vexed as many...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: The Senator has been told it has been removed from the Bill.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: Senator Mooney is wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: I praise the courage of three feisty women from County Laois, Maureen Delaney, Bridget O'Neill and Catherine Kelly. These ladies, all of whom are in their 90s, won a great victory in the High Court yesterday after standing up to the HSE.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: They carried the moral support from Members across this House into the High Court when they brought a halt to the HSE's plan to close Abbeyleix. This win is the first round of a long battle to save Abbeyleix and other community nursing homes in the midlands. Abbeyleix has become a byword for care in the community and the HSE has given a solemn undertaking before the President of the High...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: I am going to have a chat with Catherine Kelly about that. People are rightly upset about the proposals on disability payments but I welcome the news that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Social Protection have agreed to review the matter. I believe the decision will be reversed in due course in the interest of those who have profound disabilities. I thank my Fine Gael colleagues for...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: She does not accuse people who raise legitimate concerns of being whingers who should commit suicide.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: We do not need anyone on the Opposition benches to teach us about compassion.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

John Whelan: Christmas is approaching but while it is the season of goodwill, it is also a stressful time for many families. This is the first Christmas in four years in which I have had a job, albeit a temporary one. I was astounded to find out this morning that people who through no fault of their own were made redundant in May have not yet received their redundancy payments from the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: While I have every respect for my colleague across the floor, it is hard to stomach the crocodile tears shed daily for students and Garda stations.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: If anyone wants to know about the shambles of a government we had up to six months ago, they should see Pat Leahy's documentary. It was not a Government; it made no decisions and was in total disarray.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: This country was left in an appalling state. The Senator has a neck to talk about lying.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: With respect-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: I did not interrupt Senator O'Brien. I strongly reject the accusations being levelled at the Minister, Deputy Quinn. I commend the Ceann Comhairle and the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the hard work they have put in to ensure that the public will, in real time, get to see the affairs of the Dáil, Seanad and Oireachtas committees. This is vital progress. I call again on...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

John Whelan: Will the Leader please bring to the attention of the Minister for Health what appears to be an ongoing disconnect and a glaring gap between the stated ministerial and Department of Health policy and the realities of the roll-out of health services? Last week, the Minister stated in good faith and following advice from his officials that it takes 15 days to turn around a medical card...